From VCLWiki

[edit] Introduction

Google periodically examines the VCL to index and cache much of its content. Sometimes artists do not want this to occur, or some event happens where they change their mind. Unfortunately, removing artwork or text from the VCL will not remove it from Google's cache.

Google has provided an interface to allow content owners (the Artists and the VCL administration) to remove cached data from Google's servers. The instructions below show the necessary method.

It will take a couple of days for the request to take effect. Also, the request is 'one time'. It will not prevent Google from re-indexing and re-caching the data at a later date. To achieve that effect, you will need to contact us to set up something more permanent.

You do not need the VCL administration's permission to use the following, and you can run it periodically if you want it to last longer than Google's reported 90 days.

If you empty your VCL gallery, you can use the following method to purge Google's cache. However, it is not yet known if, after 90 days, whether Google will simply restore its existing cache, or will re-index the VCL. Information on this is welcome.

[edit] Method

We'll assume your VCL Artist Name is 'John-Random', Of course, replace this with your real VCL Artist name wherever it appears.

1. Create a file called 'robots.txt' with the following content:

User-agent: Googlebot-Image Disallow: /vcl/Artists/John-Random/

Upload this file to your directory on the VCL.

Visit the Googlebot Controller Page.

If you haven't created a Googlebot controller account, you'll need to do so now. Give them your e-mail address and choose a password. Once you've created an account, re-visit that page, and log-in.

Click on the Remove pages, subdirectories or images using a robots.txt file link.

Enter the URL to the robots file you just created. Given the way the VCL works, you will need to enter TWO URLs, one at a time. Enter the first URL similar to the following, and click the Remove Pages button: http://us.vclart.net/vcl/Artists/John-Random/robots.txt

Next, indicate you want to enter another URL, and enter one similar to the following. Note that this new URL actually points to the same place on the VCL; you do not need to upload a second robots.txt file: http://us-p.vclart.net/vcl/Artists/John-Random/robots.txt

Once done, click the View Status link, and ensure the two URLs appear in your status listing, and are marked 'pending'.

You should come back to the Googlebot controller page in 24 hours, and check that the status has been updated to 'complete'. If it says something else, contact us so we can check things for you.